Abstract

Background

Wise et al. introduced a rank-based statistical technique for meta-analysis of genome
scans, the Genome Scan Meta-Analysis (GSMA) method. Levinson et al. recently described
two generalizations of the GSMA statistic: (i) a weighted version of the GSMA statistic,
so that different studies could be ascribed different weights for analysis; and (ii)
an order statistic approach, reflecting the fact that a GSMA statistic can be computed
for each chromosomal region or bin width across the various genome scan studies.

Results

We provide an Edgeworth approximation to the null distribution of the weighted GSMA
statistic, and, we examine the limiting distribution of the GSMA statistics under
the order statistic formulation, and quantify the relevance of the pairwise correlations
of the GSMA statistics across different bins on this limiting distribution. We also
remark on aggregate criteria and multiple testing for determining significance of
GSMA results.

Conclusion

Theoretical considerations detailed herein can lead to clarification and simplification
of testing criteria for generalizations of the GSMA statistic.